Thursday, April 24th, 2014

There are plenty of talented defensive tackles available in the 2014 NFL Draft but the group as a whole lacks players with a complete skill set. Some of the prospects are stout run defenders who lack pass-rush ability; others are undersized prospects who are good penetrators but will struggle to hold up against NFL defensive linemen.

Aaron Donald headlines the defensive tackle class. Donald is an explosive penetrating defensive tackle who wrecks havoc on the interior. Donald has incredible first-step quickness and strength out of his stance that is troubling for guards to handle. He has quick, violent hands which he utilizes to beat his opponent. He has the strength to dispose of blockers and make plays in the backfield.

Monday, February 24th, 2014

Monday’s on-field portion of the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine featured the draft’s best defensive line and linebacker prospects as the depth of the draft continued to prove itself in workouts. While no prospect was able to officially record a sub-4.5 second 40-yard dash, there was plenty of speed and athleticism on display alongside a few disappointments.

Monday, January 20th, 2014

The 2014 Senior Bowl week is well underway as NFL scouts, executives and coaches filled the South Exhibit Hall at the Mobile Convention Center on Monday morning for this year’s weigh-ins. 110 draft hopefuls walked across the stage to have their bodies examined and heights and weights announced in front of the crowd, while hand width, arm length and wingspans were also distributed.

Saturday, January 4th, 2014

With Texas Tech on a five-game losing streak, No. 14 Arizona State was a heavy favorite going into the Holiday Bowl on Dec. 30. The Sun Devils (10-4) fell short, however, as Texas Tech (8-5), who finished the night with 403 yards from quarterback Davis Webb, got out to an early lead and held on for a 37-23 victory.

Both schools were led by talented players who could hear their names called in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Carl Bradford, DE, Arizona State, Jr.

-Knifed in, eluded second block and wrapped up legs

-Exploded off snap, good lean around tackle, hurried quarterback

-Good reaction to draw, forced outside for tackle-for-loss

-Beautiful spin move and stuffed run in backfield

-Exploded off edge, hurried quarterback

-Struggled to get off block, had to spin to get away

Overview: Bradford had a dominant first half and, despite a lesser second half, still had the best defensive performance of the game.

He displayed good explosion off the snap and speed off the edge. His explosiveness was inconsistent though; when he didn’t have a good first step, he had a difficult time getting going.

While his speed off the edge was disruptive and he flashed a beautiful spin move, he lacks a varying repertoire of pass-rushing moves. He does not use his hands well and relies heavily on his athleticism.

If Bradford decides to declare for the draft, he went out on a high note. With the potential to be an explosive pass-rusher, he could hear his name called early in the draft.

Chris Coyle, TE, Arizona State, Sr.

-Looked confused on blocking assignment

-Blown up by linebacker at point of attack

-Good position at second level, walls off defender

-Lined up at fullback and cleared the hole on lead block

-Good base, good bend and sustains block

-Crisp cut on short out

-Well-ran crossing route, reached out in front and hauled pass in

Overview: With Arizona State dedicated to the run in the Holiday Bowl, Coyle was mainly a blocker and saw few opportunities to catch passes.

Early on in this game, he looked lost or confused because he was overrunning and missing blocks. Later, he better executed his assignments to show good technique.

He only caught one pass for ten yards but ran decent routes.

If Coyle can be a more consistent blocker, he could be a good fit as an H-back or fullback at the next level.

Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State, Sr.

-Recognized screen, destroyed on crackback blcock

-A bit slow off the snap, rips and pushes through line

-Shot out of stance, great swim, forced run inside

-Stays low out of stance, excellent hand use

-Slow acceleration, neutralized by double team

-Just stood around on offside play, pursued downfield after pass

-Good get-off, stuffed by double teams

-Outmuscled and moved off point of attack

-Works down line of scrimmage and stuffs run

-Bounces off cut block, shuffles into hole and stops run

-Lays out going for punt block

Overview: Facing double-teams all game, Sutton’s disruptive play was limited. He was neutralized by double teams and struggled to fight through them. He was out-muscled throughout the game.

His first step quickness dictated his impact, but it was inconsistent. When he accelerated quickly off the line, he was able to penetrate his gap and cause problems in the backfield. At other times, he was slow off the line of scrimmage and failed to disrupt the backfield.

His quickness off the snap and his quick, active hands are his best attributes, which he uses to shed blockers.

A likely Day 2 draft pick, Sutton’s quickness and block-shedding ability might make him a quality one-gap rusher, but he needs to get stronger and show more consistent explosion to be something special.

Overview: In his last college football game, as he announced he would declare for the 2014 draft after the Holiday Bowl win, Jace Amaro had a solid performance, catching eight passes for 112 yards.

Showcasing soft hands and good route running, he was the “go-to” receiver. At 6’5” and 260 pounds, he knows how to utilize his size to create space and box out defenders.

He was a regular third-down receiver for Texas Tech throughout the game. He showed off his ability to read zone defenses, find holes and sit in them.

While he is not a great blocker, he is a willing blocker who flashes good technique. He generally blocks defensive backs, so he might struggle if asked to block linemen at the next level. Even so, his blend of size, athleticism and receiving skill should make him a first-round pick.

Kerry Hyder, DT, Texas Tech, Sr.

-Covered running back in flat, right on top for the tackle

-Clogged middle and stuffed run

-Excellent motor, keeps grinding and pursues downfield

-Driven back by double team

-Pushed back at snap, swam by and stood up runner

-Lost ground at the line of scrimmage but fought off block

-Waist-bender

-Quick get-off, beautiful swim and hurried quarterback

Overview: A disruptive interior force for the Red Raiders, Hyder finished his collegiate career with a solid game.

Showcasing first step quickness and some finesse, he caused trouble for the linemen all game. He had trouble dealing with his opponents’ power and was driven back with relative ease, but he was able to recover most of the time and use his lateral quickness and hands to shed blockers.

At 6’2” and 280 pounds, Hyder’s role at the next level is uncertain, as he might be too undersized to play defensive tackle. But if he can showcase the same athleticism and quickness, he could continue to be a disruptive player in the NFL.

Eric Ward, WR, Texas Tech, Sr.

-Adjusted to low pass, cradled it into stomach

-Nice run on sweep, good vision

-Tough blocker, not technically sound but willing and aggressive

-Shields defenders with body, body catches

-Savvy short post, body catch, fought for yards

-High-pointed ball but lost it coming down

Overview: While Ward only caught three passes for 43 yards in the Holiday Bowl, he showed he is a tough player who hustles on the field.

Ward lacks ideal technique as a blocker, but he gets into defenders’ faces. He is also physical with the ball in his hands, as he fought through several tackles to gain yards after contact on one of his catches in this game.

He runs good routes but lacks the suddenness to create much separation. He also tends to body catch, doing so on each of his three catches, while the only grab he made with his hands was one he lost on the way to the ground.

Ward is not a flashy player, but he could be a special teams contributor early on.

Monday, December 30th, 2013

After a disappointing 38-14 loss to Stanford in the Pac-12 Championship Game that cost them a trip to the Rose Bowl, Arizona State (10-3) will be looking to rebound with a victory over Texas Tech (7-5) in the Holiday Bowl (Monday, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN).

The Arizona State defense will be challenged by the nation’s second-ranked passing offense, which features standout tight end Jace Amaro. Several Sun Devils defenders with an NFL future will be relied upon to slow down the Red Raiders’ prolific spread aerial attack.